Hughes - George H.
Note: This is likely the same as George F. Hughes as he sold pianos but since the middle initials were different, I've separated them -- kbz
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana. Indianapolis: AW Bowen, 1913. p. 1253
George H. HUGHES. The well known piano dealer of Crawfordsville, George H. Hughes, is a native of Vigo County, Indiana have been born there March 8, 1853. He is a son of Wesley H. and Nancy E. Davis Hughes. The father was born in Sullivan County May 22, 1828 and there also the mother of our subject Oct 17, 1831.
They grew to maturity and were educated in their native community and there they have continued to reside to the present time, having established a good home by their industry. Five children were born to them, namely: Josephine, born in Sullivan County, is the wife of Theodore Hutchinson; George H, subject of the sketch; T.E. who is living in St. Louis, Missouri: Catherine married W. W. Gliver of Terre Haute, Indiana; Olive married H. B. Vanbuskirk of Rocky Ford, Colorado.
For many years the father of the above named children engaged in farming in Sullivan County, Indiana and later went into the tombstone business at the town of Sullivan, building up a good business there, following the same until his retirement from active duties of life. Wit the exception of two years, Welsey H. Hughes and wife have always lived in Sullivan County. They belong to the Methodist Church, and politically, Mr. Hughes is a Republican. George F. Hughes of this review, attended the common schools until he was 13, when he began working at the saddlery trade which he followed for a period of 11 years, but finally abandoned that line of endeavor and went into the piano business, going on the road for the Baldwin Piano Company his territory being Indiana and Illinois which he worked from 1833 (sic - could not be correct) until 1898, during which time he familiarized himself with the various phases of the piano business and, leaving the road in 1898, he opened a piano business of his own in the city of Crawfordsville, where he continued to represent his firm.
He was successful in this venture and has built up a large and growing patronage; drawing customers from all over this and adjoining counties. He always carries an excellent stock of modern pianos, handling Ellington-Hamilton; Howard-Valley Gem; Jesse French & Son; the Star; Remington -- all standard and well known makes. He also carries a full line of other musical instrument and Victrolas. Mr. Hughes was married in 1880 to Laura E. Robbins, daughter of Thomas J. and Margaret Maxwell Robbins, old settlers of Sullivan County where Mr. Robbins followed the blacksmith's trade and he is still living there, being now advanced in years. His wife passed away in 1890.
One child has been born to George F. Hughes and wife, Byron E. Hughes, who is in partnership with his father in the piano business. He is a graduate of the high school in Crawfordsville and later spent a year in Wabash College. He took a four years' course and graduated with high honors from the Metropolitan School of Music in Indianapolis. He began his business career with Baldwin Piano Company and for a period of three years was manager of that firm's house in Boston, Mass. After then he returned to Crawfordsville and became the junior member of the firm with his father. George F. Hughes is a Mason in his fraternal relations and religiously a member of the Christian Science Church